Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH) is under increasing operational strain due to an unpaid water bill exceeding Shs600 million.
The hospital’s principal administrator, Mr. Benzy Omoya, attributes the high water usage to the large number of patient attendants crowding the facility daily.
“Each patient is usually accompanied by four to six caretakers, all drawing on water resources intended for hospital operations,” Mr. Omoya said.
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Fearing disconnection by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), the hospital has submitted the arrears to Parliament, seeking urgent financial intervention.
SRRH accommodates an average of 310 inpatients and sees over 500 outpatients each day. However, it’s the surge of attendants that is exacerbating water shortages and severely stressing the hospital’s sanitation systems.
“Overcrowding has caused repeated sewage blockages. We often find items like diapers, polythene bags, medical waste, and torn clothes. Each cleanup costs us at least Shs1 million,” Mr. Omoya added.
Attempts to control visitor numbers by enforcing specific visiting hours have had limited success.
Ms. Esther Auko, a caretaker from Serere District, defended the need for multiple attendants per patient.
“While I search for medication, others stay to cook and provide care. Doing it all alone isn’t feasible,” she explained.
Similarly, Ms. Merab Akol emphasized the emotional and physical toll of solo caregiving.
“Caring for a patient alone is overwhelming. Having support from loved ones gives us hope and strength,” she noted.
With no resolution in sight, hospital authorities warn that critical services may soon be disrupted unless urgent measures are taken.
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